The IARC Monographs identify environmental factors that can increase the risk of human cancer. These include chemicals, complex mixtures, occupational exposures,
physical agents, biological agents, and lifestyle factors. National health agencies can use this information as scientific support for their actions to prevent exposure
to potential carcinogens.

Interdisciplinary working groups of expert scientists review the published studies and evaluate the weight of the evidence that an agent can increase the risk of cancer.
The principles, procedures, and scientific criteria that guide the evaluations are described in the Preamble to the IARC Monographs.

Since 1971, more than 900 agents have been evaluated, of which more than 400 have been identified as carcinogenic, probably carcinogenic, or possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Monographs News

Volume 108: Some Drugs and Herbal Products

23 December 2014We are pleased to announce that the first five Monographs of Volume 108, Some Drugs and Herbal Products, are now available online. The remaining Monographs will be published subsequently.

Instructions for Authors for the Preparation of Drafts for IARC Monographs

4 December 2014As part of ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and public understanding of the IARC Monographs, the "Instructions for Authors" that are provided to members of Monograph Working Groups have now been published online. These instructions should be read in conjunction with the Preamble to the IARC Monographs, which provides guidelines for the selection, evaluation, and integration of data for the Monographs.

Meeting 114: Red Meat and Processed Meat

27 November 2014Meeting 114 on "Red Meat and Processed Meat" is announced. For more information, please see Upcoming Meetings.

Volume 107: Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Biphenyls

7 November 2014We are pleased to announce that the Monograph on Polybrominated Biphenyls is now available online. The accompanying Monograph on Polychlorinated Biphenyls will be published subsequently.

Volume 111: Some Nanomaterials and Some Fibres

3 November 2014A summary of the evaluations has now been published in Lancet Oncology: article; PDF

Monographs Publications

25 June 2012 Volume 100 compiles information on tumour sites and mechanisms of carcinogenesis. About half of the agents classified in Group 1 were last reviewed more than 20 years ago, before mechanistic studies became prominent in evaluations of carcinogenicity. In addition, more recent epidemiological studies and animal cancer bioassays have demonstrated that many cancer hazards reported in earlier studies were later observed in other organs or through different exposure scenarios. Available at WHO Press